“Are lilacs deer resistant?” is a common question that most growers wonder about when they want to plant lilacs outdoors. Fortunately, lilacs are not one of deer’s favorites, and you might not commonly find that deer eat them.
They may spare them on their sprawl unless they are too hungry. In this article, you will learn how to protect your lilacs further and the names of other plants to grow that deer don’t like.
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Are Lilacs Considered Deer-Resistant?
Yes, most lilac types are considered deer resistant, while certain species are more resistant than others. Syringas can grow up to 20 feet tall and are rarely bothered by deer. You see deer damage these plants only when there is nothing else for them to eat.
The types of lilacs and their capacity to keep deer at bay will be discussed more below.
Which Lilac Bushes Resist Deer?
Lilac bushes that resist deer and are safe to plant in deer territories include, the common lilac, the lilac tree in Japan, the persian lilac, and lilac Lincoln. There are many distinct types of lilacs worldwide, and the five most popular ones are fortunately deer resistant.
– The Common Lilac
Syringa vulgaris, or the old fashioned lilac bush is also a plant you will not see deer eating. This hardy lilac, which ranges in color from white to purple to pink, is rarely bothered by deer.
– Lilac Tree in Japan
Syringa reticulata, or Japanese tree, is another resistant breed rarely injured by deer and has the second-highest resistance grade, like the bloomerang dark purple lilac.
– The Persian Lilac
The Syringa x persica is just as resistant to deer as the Japanese type. This resilient bush is incredibly aromatic and usually deters deer from eating them.
– Lilac Lincoln
Syringas ‘President Lincoln,’ a common and popular bush, is the bluest of lilacs. This plant is as deer resistant as the tiny ‘Miss Kim lilac deer resistant‘ and is always popular for its huge clusters and size.
How to Further Keep the Lilacs Safe
With various tactics, you can improve the safety of your lilacs. While lilacs are deer-resistant as they are, you never know what will become of them once hungry deer gather for a graze. The following are good tips to safeguard your plants further.
– Grow Plants That Are Not Deer-Edible
To thwart opportunistic deer, design a garden or yard that is less appealing to them. Creating borders of less attractive plants around the edibles, intermixing extremely aromatic plants to confuse the deer, and overall making it tough for them to graze are some ways to accomplish this.
But keep in mind that deer are curious creatures. They are inclined to try any plant at least once to see if they like it. Don’t be alarmed if you notice a few bites from a plant. It only becomes a problem if the deer develop a liking for the leaf leading them to consume the entire plant.
– Spray the Outdoor Plants With Deer Repellent
Spray deterrents can help prevent deer from eating lilacs and other plants if used regularly, since they make them seem like poisonous plants that deer dislike. There are dozens of commercially available brands, most of which use a horrible odor and a bad taste to deter deer.
Alternatively, try one of the many homemade spray-repellent recipes. Customers have claimed success with various egg, spicy sauce, garlic, and clove oil combinations.
– Install a Motion Sensor Near Outdoor Plants
To keep deer at bay, some gardeners employ solar-powered motion sensor units. A deer herd, on the other hand, may quickly realize that particular lights and repetitive sounds pose no genuine threat. Install a motion-activated device that squirts water or activates a live radio broadcast instead.
– Keep Bar Soap Next To Outdoor Plants
Many Utah gardeners use basic bar soap to keep deer at bay. It is stated that the aroma interferes with their acute sense of smell. Choose a strong-smelling brand and hang bars from threads in trees or large plants. Alternatively, connect soap bars to poles and place them around the boundaries of your garden beds to deter deer.
Best Plants To Grow That Are Deer-Resistant
Apart from lilacs, there are other great varieties of plants to have in your garden that deer tend to ignore for a thriving garden. Some of the best ones are mentioned below:
1. Bleeding Heart
These are excellent landscape plants because they attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds rather than deer. If eaten in excessive quantities, the plant harms humans and animals. Hence the deer avoid it. Because they are endemic to North America, we favor the Pacific. The most common variety, commonly planted in landscapes, is from Asia.
2. Butterfly Bush
These blossoms have a honey-like fragrance that keeps deer away. This perennial blooms for a long period, so the deer are unlikely to try it. Plant the Bush cautiously, as it has escaped cultivation and grown invasive in some regions. It would be fantastic if deer ate it in those regions!
Butterflies and bees both like the plant. The bush is frequently confused with Butterfly Weed (see further down the list under flowers); the Bush (Buddleia) is not native, whereas the Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a milkweed family native.
3. Salvia & Russian Sage
Salvia plants, a species of the mint family, have a strong odor that deer dislike. The sage plant was once considered a separate species but is now included in the Salvia genus. There are numerous Salvia varieties, which come in various hues.
Purple Salvia is the most popular, but there are also red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and white varieties. Salvia repels deer while attracting all native pollinators, such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
4. Peony
Peonies, a well-known deer-resistant perennial, are rarely disturbed by garden pests. Deer dislike their strong aroma and flavor, so they make a fantastic landscape choice. Furthermore, these traditional landscaping perennials provide large, stunning blooms in various colors. There is almost certainly a Peony type that will thrive in your garden.
5. Hummingbird Mint
Agastache plants, as the name implies, are members of the mint family. The deer don’t care for the beautiful mint aroma, but hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies do. Tall spikes of bluish-violet blooms bloom from spring to fall, attracting bees and keeping deer at bay.
Like other mints, this plant spreads quickly, so keep it in containers or separate from the main garden. As a deterrent, mix containers of Hummingbird Mint plants with flowers that deer appreciate.
6. Rodgers Flower
Rodgers Flower is a tall, spectacular shade-loving plant with large, textured leaves that makes an eye-catching garden centerpiece. You don’t have to worry about deer avoiding those textured leaves. The butterflies agree that the big abundant fluffy flower clusters are a sight. While the flowers are gorgeous, the gigantic mounding leaves are the major draw.
7. Dustin Miller
Dusty Miller is a rare plant known for its spectacular silvery, lacy foliage rather than the flowers. It also has the bonus of being deer-resistant. Deer don’t like the felt-like texture on the leaves and will ignore it.
Dusty Miller plants look great mixed in with taller deer resistant shrubs and perennials or as a backdrop for vividly colored flowers. These plants can grow around 3 feet tall, although there are miniature kinds that look great as an edging plant.
8. Leopard Plant
Deer dislike the tall, vivid flower spires and massive foliage of the leopard plant. The leathery and rough leaves of these plants are not a delicacy for deer. Thus, they avoid it. This shade-loving plant produces stunning bright yellow blooms from the dense, clumping leaves.
It’s recommended that you plant Leopard Plant instead of Hostas because it has a comparable dramatic effect without attracting all animals to the yard.
9. Goatsbeard
The lacy leaves and exquisite, delicate flowers of Goatsbeard put off deer. Because goatsbeard is a difficult plant to eat, opportunistic deer shun it in favor of more accessible greens. These plants grow tall and make good border or background plants. When grown in bunches, they really make a statement.
Goatsbeard is a North American native that grows as an easy perennial in zones 3-7. You will love the airy, creamy-white ethereal blossoms! Goatsbeard is a host plant for the Dusky Azure Butterfly and attracts various other butterflies.
10. Foamflower
In addition to being unpopular with deer, Foamflowers are a lovely garden flower. The spikes of little wispy white blooms are lovely, and native pollinators like butterflies and bees adore them. Deer avoid the Foamflower, most likely because it is difficult to consume and not tasty. The foliage grows low to the ground, making it easy for deer to consume.
Frequently Asked Questions
– Is Lavender Deer-Resistant?
Yes, Lavender is deer resistant and also a mosquito and fly repellant. Plant your perennial in broad sun with well-drained soil conditions. Plant lavender alongside your vegetable and herb gardens, along walkways and roads, or for edging on patios and gazebos.
– Are Forsythia Deer Resistant?
Yes, Forsythia is deer resistant and among the many well known deer resistant plants, including rose of Sharon, cinquefoil (Potentilla), Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica), and Bluebeard. Forsythia will also attract numerous beneficial insects and natural predatory bugs to your garden.
– Do Deer Eat Lilac Buds?
Yes, deer do eat lilac buds because this part of the plant is not as aromatic. The buds of lilac are also tender in texture which deer like. Therefore, keeping the buds safe is important during their beginning stages, and utilizing various strategies to do that is important.
Conclusion
While lilacs are generally considered deer-safe plants, it is still necessary to protect them in case of a hungry herd. Therefore:
- Avoid plant safety and utilize different strategies to keep them safe.
- There are many other varieties of lilacs that you can also plant without worrying too much about deer devouring them.
- Apart from lilacs, there are many other plants that you can grow that also show deer resistance.
With this comprehensive guide, you can triple your lilac production and add other deer-resistant plants without fearing for their life.
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